I have torn out an old brick mantel that had an old gas insert. I now have an Electric fire box that I want to frame in using sheet rock and then add a mantel. I have limited resources and skills. I want it to look nice but not be expensive or extensive. Any ideas or places to go for ideas?

Willie T

06-13-2009 08:59 AM

Many people, myself included, have a tendancy to limit our thinking to what we know, or think we know.

Mantels are a great example. Don't most of us think of a solid, heavy slab? Sure we do. Yet some of the most attractive mantels I've built were hollow boxes.

With a combination of overlapping edges and cleverly applied moldings, a stunning mantle can be easily constructed. Lightweight and economical. Yet no one looking at it is any the wiser.